You are not alone in seeing more 4K TVs and 4K Blu-ray movie titles at your local electronics outlet or website. That’s why some TV stations such as WRAL in Raleigh are experimenting with 4K delivery. And more high-tech visual entertainment is coming: Watch out for 8K to emerge by 2020.

Mass-market appeal is coming as ultra-high definition TVs and videos are growing increasingly popular in the U.S., according to a new report fro Juniper Research.

“4K OTT (Over the Top) content will finally see mass-market appeal, with adoption set to soar over the next 5 years,” Juniper says, referring to content delivered over the Internet.

However, a lack of content is delaying even-faster growth.

Juniper estimates that 1 in 10 U.S. residents will be viewing 4K content by 2021. That’s up dramatically from just 1-in-500 in 2016.

Worldwide, Juniper forecasts 4K will be watched by 189 million by the year 2021, up from 2.3 million this year.

More 4K content and 4K-compatible devices are driving the growth.

4K OTT (Over the Top) content will finally see mass-market appeal, with adoption set to soar over the next 5 years.

“Whilst connected TV will be the dominant channel, viewership will take place through a range of devices; including smartphones, tablets, and PCs,” Juniper says.

‘The popularity of online video has seen the use of set-top boxes from vendors such as Roku and Amazon soar,” Juniper explains.

“However, delivery mechanisms for content have seen slower adoption, as the availability of 4K capable streaming devices is limited. New device launches, such as the 4K capable Xbox One S this month, among others, are likely to spur a boost in 4K usage.’

More content coming

Juniper also says content providers will begin delivering more 4K content as demand grows.

“Although YouTube, Netflix and Amazon already offer some 4K video, network providers have been waiting for a critical mass of content to become available before launching their own 4K offer,” Juniper says.

“However, 2016 has seen roll-out of a number of new 4K offerings, such as the launch of the Sky Q 4K service in the UK, coupled with new hardware launches to provide a means of streaming online 4K content.”

Coming next: 8K

Even more detailed visuals are coming, too. Juniper says 8K will be taking root by 2020 as prices come down.

“Whilst there is one commercially available 8K TV currently on the market (priced at $133,000), 8K content is a long way from becoming mainstream,” Juniper says.

“In a similar form to 4K, Juniper sees 8K smart TVs emerging first, followed by streaming devices and set-top boxes, making this a drawn out process.”

Juniper notes that the 2020 Olympics may be broadcast in 8K.

For more, check out a whitepaper, “Digital TV ~ Skinny Bundles and Cord Shaving,” at:

https://www.juniperresearch.com/document-library/white-papers/digital-tv-skinny-bundles-cord-shaving?utm_source=juniperpr&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Digital_TV_Video_16_PR2_juniperpr